Step 1
I. Install Smoke Detectors
• Test and clean smoke detectors monthly, and replace the batteries at least once a year.
• Remember that properly installed smoke alarms decrease a person's chance of dying in a fire by over 50%!
Step 2
II. Inspect Electrical Wiring
• Have electricians frequently inspect the electrical wirings of your home or business.
• Examine extension cords and discard if they appear to be frayed or exposed. Be cautious of any loose plugs.
• Ensure wiring does not run over nails, under carpet, or across well-traveled spaces. All outlets should have covered plates and be free from exposed wiring.
• Make certain insulation does not touch bare electrical wiring.
• Do not overload outlets or extension cords.
Step 3
III. Maintain Landscape
• Remove highly flammable vegetation, such as leaves or dead or dying trees from the area surrounding your building.
• Maintain a reduced amount of vegetation and limit plantings to carefully spaced indigenous species that are low growing.
• Ideally, space tree plantings about 10 feet apart.
• For trees taller than 18 feet, prune lower branches within 6 feet of the ground.
Step 4
IV. Beware of Flammable Items
• Never use gasoline, naphtha, benzene, or related flammable liquids indoors.
• Only store flammable liquids in acceptable containers and in open and well-ventilated storage areas.
• Safely discard all cloths soaked with these liquids in a metal container outdoors and away from buildings.
• Trash is a major fire hazard. Do not allow trash to build up on the premises or this will increase the risk of a fire spreading quickly.
Step 5
V. Heating Sources
• Have heating units inspected and cleaned annually by a certified specialist.
• Place heaters far away from flammable materials. Most organizations suggest at least three feet from furniture, curtains, bedding, paper, or anything else that is flammable. Make sure the floor and nearby walls are properly insulated as well.
• Use only designated fuel types for each particular unit; follow the manufacturer's specific instructions.
Step 6
VI. Protect Business Equipment and Records
• Regularly back-up critical electronic files & documents (billing and payroll records, plans, legal records, and customer lists). Store backup copies of these items in a secure off-site location.
• For both insurance and tax purposes, you should maintain written and photographic inventories of all important materials and equipment. The inventory should be stored in a safety deposit box or other secure location.
Step 7
VII. Install a Lightning Protection System
• Most buildings, particularly those of contemporary design, are susceptible to lightning damage due to the costly hi-tech equipment inside. A properly installed lightning protection system intercepts the lightning bolt between cloud and ground and effectively and safely conducts it to the earth.
• Install surge protection and grounding systems. Surge suppression devices protect critical internal electronics by dramatically reducing the magnitude of random, high energy, short duration electrical power anomalies. Finally, the installation of a stable, low resistance and low impedance grounding system bonds all electrically conductive circuits together.
• Visit www.allteccorp.com for more information on grounding, surge suppression and lightning protection.
Step 8
VIII. Establish a Fire Emergency Plan (FEMA Emergency Guide)
A. Business
• Create a Fire Protection Plan, and update it regularly according to changes in the physical workplace, staff, and activities.
• Create a Closing Checklist to ensure that employees are turning off appropriate machines and equipment before leaving and checking that certain areas are clear of debris.
• Create a Fire Evacuation Plan, and make sure all employees know the procedure. Ask the local Fire Marshal to assist with this, since all states have specific requirements or consult OSHA for your business.
• Rearrange the workplace to provide quick access to escape routes.
• Contact the Fire Department and review Occupational Safety and Health (OSHA) regulations.
• Estimate the cost of repairing or replacing each essential piece of equipment in your business. Your estimates will help you assess your vulnerability and focus your prevention and protection efforts.
• Find out legal obligations to your employees. The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) approves and monitors state guidelines and offers useful information to businesses on its web site (http://www.osha.gov/).
• Identify critical products, services, and operations and develop a backup system for these in case of emergency. This is vital to reestablish the normal operations of a business.
• Meet with your insurance carrier and review your current policy.
B. Home
• Evaluate fire risks in the home and areas that could be particularly hazardous. For example, garage fires are known to start easily and spread rapidly. Make sure that these areas have smoke detectors.
• It is best to establish two ways out of every room (doors and windows included).
• Estimate the cost of repairing or replacing each important item in your house & meet with your insurance provider to review your policy.
• Have a plan!! Draw a floor plan of your home & mark the escape routes. Also, mark the location of the smoke alarms. Establish a meeting place safely outside your home, such as a tree or a signpost. Post the escape plan and have your family practice the fire drill yearly.
• For more information on fire disaster safety visit http://www.fema.gov/.
|
